Andrea asked several questions about spring feeding:

1.  Dunno why, but these days feeding pollen patties has an astounding
positive effect.  Around here (Northeast) if you feed an equal number of
patties with and without real pollen (to the same hives) the bees will
completely finish the patties containing real pollen before they will even
start on those without.
2.  Dunno where one can buy irridated pollen...but why bother when you can
get patties pre-made from www.globalpatties.com?  If you can't buy the
quantities you need directly from them, there are a number of resellers,
including ourselves.  (We order an entire pallet and then resell what we
can't use...which is not a lot.)
3.  If you are sure you don't have disease (including AFB, EFB and
Chalkbrood) why not collect your own pollen, keep it frozen, and then add it
to a standard commercial mix of pollen substitute?  Too late for 2001 spring
feeding, but Sundance pollen traps will easily provide what you need for
2012.  If you use top mount Sundance traps you don't even have to worry
about disease in your own hives as there is no way for any spores or other
agents to contaminate the pollen.
4.  Yes, Honey Bee Healthy really works.  It stimulates the bees to increase
their brood production.

Hope this helps,

Lloyd

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